[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/01\/perimenopause-vs-premenopause\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/01\/perimenopause-vs-premenopause\/","headline":"Perimenopause vs. Premenopause: Knowing the Difference","name":"Perimenopause vs. Premenopause: Knowing the Difference","description":"

Menopause can feel confusing, and so can the terms surrounding it. Here, we break down the difference between menopause, premenopause, and perimenopause. <\/p>","datePublished":"2025-01-28","dateModified":"2026-01-02","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-1483145631.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-1483145631.jpg","height":868,"width":1997},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/01\/perimenopause-vs-premenopause\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Women's Health"],"wordCount":1084,"articleBody":"Menopause is a complex subject \u2014 and sometimes, the language surrounding it can feel confusing. Is there a difference between premenopause and perimenopause? What do the terms mean \u2014 and why do we hear both?To clarify the issue, let’s look at menopause \u2014 what it is, why it happens \u2014 and the changes that lead up to it.What Is Menopause?Simply put, menopause is when you stop having periods. Officially, menopause begins 12 months after you had your last period. When you go through menopause, you can’t get pregnant naturally because your body has stopped making eggs.Menopause doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long process that takes years, as your ovaries produce lower levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Menopause is a normal part of getting older, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone. Many people going through menopause experience hot flashes, sleep problems, and other side effects. Others sail through menopause with very few symptoms.According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health, the average age of menopause is 52. But menopause can happen earlier or later in a person’s life.What Is Premenopause?Premenopause means “before menopause” \u2014\u00a0the time between your first period (called menarche) and your last period, which signals the start of menopause.Some people use the term premenopause interchangeably with perimenopause. But doctors prefer the term perimenopause, which more accurately describes the transition from the “fertile years” to menopause.What Is Perimenopause?Perimenopause means “around menopause” \u2014 and generally describes the transition time leading up to menopause. During this time, your hormones begin to change. Your periods may become irregular because you’re not consistently releasing eggs. Many people start having symptoms of menopause when they stop ovulating consistently.Perimenopause usually lasts about four years and typically starts in your mid-40s \u2014 although the time frame can vary. People who smoke usually enter perimenopause earlier than those who don’t.Some medical issues and treatments can complicate menopause timing. For example, chemotherapy can put you into early menopause (either temporarily or permanently). Surgery to remove both ovaries puts you into menopause no matter your age.How Will I Know if I’m in Perimenopause?Sometimes, the signs of perimenopause are subtle at first. Keep in mind that every person’s experience of going through perimenopause and menopause is unique. The symptoms and their intensity can vary greatly.No test can determine if you’re in perimenopause. If you have any symptoms that are bothering you, talk to your ob-gyn.You may show all, none, or some of the following signs of perimenopause:Aches and pains \u2014 Many people going into menopause experience new, seemingly random joint or muscle pain during perimenopause.Brain fog \u2014 Feeling forgetful during perimenopause is common. Again, your shifting hormones may cause any short-term memory problems or trouble concentrating.Changes in your body \u2014 During perimenopause, you may lose muscle mass or gain fat around your waist. Your hair may thin out, and your skin may feel drier.Higher cholesterol \u2014 Lower estrogen levels affect your cholesterol levels. Higher cholesterol raises your risk for stroke and heart disease.Hot flashes \u2014 During perimenopause, many people start having hot flashes, a warm feeling that suddenly spreads over the whole body. Hot flashes usually start around the face and neck and may last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. The frequency varies \u2014 hot flashes can happen rarely, once or twice a day, or several times an hour.Irregular periods \u2014 You may not ovulate every month during perimenopause, so you may skip periods. Your menstrual cycles may suddenly get longer or shorter. And your periods may get lighter or heavier than usual.Low libido \u2014 You may feel less interested in sex during perimenopause. Arousal may take longer.Mood swings \u2014 Your rapidly shifting hormones can cause you to feel irritable, moody, or depressed.Night sweats and trouble sleeping \u2014 You may have trouble falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. During perimenopause, many people have trouble falling back to sleep when awake.Vaginal dryness \u2014 During perimenopause, sex can become painful as your vaginal tissue becomes thinner and drier.How Do I Treat My Symptoms of Perimenopause?Though perimenopause is a normal part of life, some people suffer intense discomfort from hot flashes and other symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Help is available for bothersome perimenopause symptoms.Note: You can still get pregnant during perimenopause, even though you might ovulate irregularly. You should continue to use birth control until one full year after your last period. Birth control can even help regulate symptoms of perimenopause.Medical treatmentsYour doctor may recommend the following treatments to relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and mood swings.Antidepressants \u2014 Some of these drugs also provide relief from severe hot flashes.Birth control pills \u2014 A low-dose birth control pill can help control perimenopause symptoms. They can help regulate your periods and your menstrual flow.Prescription vaginal creams \u2014 These can alleviate vaginal dryness.Hormone therapyHormone therapy involves replacing the hormones that you lose during perimenopause. It may also help lower your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and dementia.The two types of hormone therapy are:Combination therapy \u2014 For people who still have a uterus. It combines estrogen and progesterone in pill or patch form.Estrogen therapy \u2014 If you had a hysterectomy (removal of your uterus), you may need estrogen. Estrogen can come in patch, pill, cream, gel, spray, or vaginal ring form.Lifestyle changesYou can often get relief from perimenopause symptoms by trying the following:Avoid the heat \u2014 High temperatures can aggravate hot flashes and night sweats.Develop good sleep habits \u2014 Keep your bedroom cool and dark, go to bed at the same time each night, and limit screen time in the evening.Eat well \u2014 A diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables is best.Reduce stress \u2014 Exercise, meditation, and self-care can help.Manage your weight \u2014 Being overweight or obese can make hot flashes worse.Quit smoking \u2014 Smoking can trigger hot flashes and lead to earlier menopause.Use vaginal lubricants \u2014 These can help make sex more comfortable.Watch for hot flash triggers \u2014 Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 28, 2025, and was last reviewed on January 2, 2026.SourcesNorth American Menopause Society. Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal. LinkNational Health Service. Menopause. Link\u00a0Office on Women\u2019s Health. Menopause basics. LinkNational Cancer Institute. Dictionary of Cancer Terms: Premenopausal. Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Perimenopause vs. Premenopause: Knowing the Difference","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/01\/perimenopause-vs-premenopause\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]